The meeting “for the City
of Ruston” was called to order by Mayor Hopkins at 7:02pm. All the
councilmembers were present. Councilmember Hedrick moved to remove the budget
discussion from the agenda and add an executive session for potential
litigation. The agenda was approved 5-0. The motion to approve the minutes for
the previous meetings was made by Hedrick for “the City of Ruston”, which passed 5-0.

Staff Reports

Engineering: Jerry Morrissette gave an update on the sewer
project, which is almost done. The one significant piece still pending is
paving in three alleys. The contractor has offered $8,500 to not pave them, which
was rejected. Councilmember Kristovich commented on the volume of water coming of
the hillside near the excavation area below Baltimore Street. Morrissette
assured her it was flowing as expected. The project is on budget. Councilmember
Hardin asked if there were a lot of items still on the punch list. Morrissette
pointed to the 5% retainage fee that is held until all the work is complete. Hardin
wanted to know what happens if the contractor can’t do alleys all winter if the
weather turns wet, but Morrissette thought there should be enough dry weather
to get them done in November.

Public Comment

Tom Elmer, CEO of The Commencement, expressed their displeasure
and objection to Point Ruston using the planned park area in front of their
building for storage of vehicles and other items. He said they lost two very
likely new tenants just this last weekend because of the mess. They are also
getting complaints from current tenants. Their project is gaining momentum and
they don’t want that momentum blocked by the unsightly junk in their front
yard. The Commencement wants Ruston to take action and enforce local ordinances
that are being violated. The mayor said that EPA and Point Ruston will be at
next meeting and the issue can be discussed further. Councilmember Hunt offered
to bring pictures of the view from her home.

Business

1-4.Ordinances 1375, 1383, 1384 and 1385 (1st
Reading): These four ordinances regarding adult entertainment were all
discussed as one package. The attorney said that Ruston had nothing on the
books. The most effective approach is to use both zoning and licenses. Two of
the new ordinances include a new zoning code and a new chapter that includes new
definitions and parking requirements. The planning commission considered these
two ordinances and held a public hearing.

The last two ordinances were considered by planning commission,
but because they deal with licensing requirements they were passed to the council.
The attorney changed all references to a town to city throughout these
documents. Legally, Ruston has to allow this kind of free speech. The council can
adopt other cities legislative record to back up their decision – an 800 page
record is presented with these ordinances. The planning commission considered
the secondary crime problems that are common with these types of businesses, as
well as the testimony of Officer Celis who worked in Lakewood as a vice cop. After
considering the usual buffers from school, churches, parks, daycares, Ruston is
not large enough, but the commission felt the southernmost corner of Pearl
Street was the best place to zone for these adult businesses since it is required
to allow them somewhere.

Town planner Rob White added that the council will need to designate
the Winnifred Street median as park. Hedrick was thankful that adult
entertainment is protected by the constitution because so are lobbyist and attorneys.
He confirmed these businesses are not allowed under the Master Development Plan
at Point Ruston. Hunt confirmed timeframes for licenses and asked if the town
could deny a license if the applicant had a criminal background. The attorney
thought it would be hard to deny a license for that reason. Hunt also confirmed
the process for designation the Winnifred median as a park.

Hardin wanted to know if council members could be sued for
not knowing all of the 800-page legislative record personally. The attorney did
not think it was likely. He was concerned about language in the ordnance
regarding the signs creating a way around the regulation. The attorney will clarify
the language. It was agreed that the license fees be removed from these ordinances
and added to the ordinance that deals with fees. Hedrick thanked the planning
commission and staff for their hard work on this. Hunt did not want the license
runs from January 1st to December 31st, since those are
holidays and the business cannot get a license on those days.

The agenda was amended again to move the executive session to
the end of the meeting rather than as a replacement of the budget (which would
be discussed now).

Claims & Payroll: passed 5-0 with no discussion.

Mayor’s Time

Tomorrow Ruston will fund the new investment fund with $4
million. It will increase the investment income $7,000 each year. The mayor apologized
for not getting the budget done yet. It was a big year with the sewer project
impacts.The three to four year forecast
for Ruston is still poor and he projects the city will run a deficit each year.
The new garbage system will be starting by early December. The old cans will be
picked up and disposed of by town.

The mayor has asked Kevin Moser to help plan the undergrounding
of utilities. He felt doing so would be proactive after seeing what hit the
east coast. Point Ruston has proposed only doing curb and gutter as stopgap
along Baltimore until the development reaches 50% build-out, since Tacoma water
will be working on that street later. Point Ruston was supposed to have this
work completed by December 2011, so the town can require everything be
installed now. Hopkins also noted that this was hopefully the last week of
state audit.

Council Time

Hedrick had none.

Hunt confirmed that sidewalks were supposed to be included
in Point Ruston work on Baltimore and she also thanked the planning commission
for their work.

Hardin encouraged the mayor to include the dates for the
garbage change over in the next town newsletter. He also wanted the dates on
when Baltimore will reopen announced once that decision is made. He confirmed
change in state law regarding investments that was voted on this month did not
apply to Ruston.

Kristovich had none.

Judd had none.

The meeting moved into executive session and would adjourn
at 8 pm with no other business discussed.

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